ABSTRACT
Psychotherapeutic treatment of alcoholic families using broad-spectrum interventions for different subgroups in the family is described. The case example illustrates methods used to treat an adult child of an alcoholic (ACA) and her family when alcoholic members were resistant to receiving outside help themselves.
Initial psychotherapy was focused on an ACA until she regained her self-esteem sufficient to deal with potential alienation from alcoholic members.
The next step was to improve her marriage through couples therapy, followed by family therapy in the absence of resistant alcoholic members.
When the family members were ready to confront the alcoholics, a meeting was arranged by a therapist. Inpatient treatment and AA attendance were prescribed for the alcoholic. Subsequently, family therapy, including the alcoholic members, was employed to break the cycle of multigenerational effects of alcoholism and to strengthen the unity of the family.
